10 Slimming World Christmas tips for surviving the festive season

It's the most wonderful time of the year. Unless you're trying to drop a dress-size, that is...

Dec 20, 2017

Bridget Jones's Diary

Christmas is THE BEST! The parties, the presents, the family fun, and, of course, the festive food. But if you've been working hard all year to lose weight with the help of Slimming World, it can be INSANELY difficult to stick to plan when there are a million mince pies, chocolate coins and cheeseboards doing the rounds.

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But panic not! Because a load of lovely Slimming World experts have come to our rescue with tips on surviving the festive season.

1. Swap chocolate for other treats

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“Every year my children have a chocolate advent calendar each. I’m a big make-up and beauty addict, so instead of missing out this year, I got myself a beauty advent calendar.It’s much more exciting than chocolate and won’t affect my weight loss one bit.”

Georgia Devereux, 29, from London, has lost 5st 1lb.

2. Don’t do anything drastic

“As Christmas gets closer it can be easy to start to feel desperate to lose weight. I used to spend hours searching the internet for diet pills that would work straight way. However, after suffering heart palpitations, IBS, sickness, light headedness and even fainting I knew I had to get a grip. I joined Slimming World and have lost 2 stone since May, I’m never buying slimming pills again.”

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Sarah-Jayne Walker, 30, from Louth, Lincolnshire, who supported Slimming World and the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency’s #FakeMeds campaign, has lost more than 2st.

3. Get outside

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“As much as I love spending Christmas with my family, unwrapping presents, tucking into a delicious dinner and then curling up on the sofa with a film, now I enjoy getting some fresh air too. I love taking my dog Millie for a long walk to stop me from getting cabin fever – it’s a great way to relax and stops me from picking at the leftovers I don’t really need.”

Izzie Kennedy, 18, from Bexhill-on-Sea, has lost 9st 8lbs and is Slimming World’s Young Slimmer of the Year.

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4. Keep a diary

“Keeping a food diary is a great way to refocus you if you ever need it, which can definitely happen in December. It helps you to keep track of what you’re eating and seeing it in black and white can help you to feel in control.”

5. Get support

“Even though I’m now a Slimming World Consultant and run my own group, I attend a group every week to get support to stay on track – and that’s especially important at Christmas. I want my members to know that I’m human too and show them that the plan isn’t a diet to go on and go off, it’s for life.”

Jodie Rigby-Mee, 32, from Royal Leamington Spa, has lost 6st and maintained her weight loss for 11 years.

6. Remember why you started

“My light-bulb moment came after I chased my little girl up the stairs to bed and was left breathless – too breathless to read her a story. My thoughts turned to my mum who’d passed away just 18 months before and I couldn’t bear the idea of my kids losing me at an even younger age. Whenever I’m lacking motivation – and let’s face it Christmas can be full of temptation – I look at my children and remember why I set out on the journey I did and made the changes I did. Christmas is about being with family for me and I plan on being around – and happy and healthy – for my family for a very long time.”

Hollie Barrett, 31, from Beccles, lost 8st 6lbs and is now a Slimming World Consultant.

7. Plan, plan, plan

“I love to plan my meals so I know what I’m having and know I’ve got everything I need in the cupboards, and it’s especially important at Christmas when life can get really hectic! I’m a slow-cooker addict – it’s so easy to throw everything in on a morning and then you come home to a delicious healthy dinner, and overnight oats are my go-to-breakfast because they’re ready as soon as I wake up.”

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Fay Marshall, 23, has lost 8st 8lbs and is Slimming World’s Woman of the Year 2017.

8. Embrace a Christmas jumper

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“I’m the biggest Christmas fan ever – any excuse to talk about it and I’m there. I recently dug out my old Christmas jumper but it’s more like a dress on me now as I’ve lost a third of my body weight all thanks to Slimming World. I achieved my target weight on Christmas Eve last year – a real dream come true – and this year I’ll be wearing my Christmas dress with pride.”

Zoe Cherry, 28, has lost 4st 11lbs with Slimming World.

9. Dress to impress

“For Christmas, I think a great incentive for me is buying a gorgeous dress to wear over the festive season. I promise myself I will wear it and it gives me the motivation to stay on track so I can look and feel great in it.”

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10. Remember to still have fun

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“Be patient with yourself and your weight loss. When I first joined Slimming World I expected to lose weight really quickly, but actually it’s been quite a slow and steady journey for me. I could have lost weight more quickly but I still wanted to be able to enjoy nights out with my friends at the weekend – and I definitely want to enjoy nights out at Christmas! I got there in the end though and I couldn’t be more pleased with my journey because I didn’t put my life on hold and I know my weight loss is sustainable now.”

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